Associated Student elections, voting begins Monday

Basic Needs Senator candidate Maddy Maurer delivers her speech at the AS Candidate Speeches event on March 27. By Sam Robinson.

The candidates for the upcoming AS Elections delivered speeches on March 27, pictured are the Basic Needs Senator candidates (seated left to right) Carol Chen and Claire Alcock, and (speaking) Maddy Maurer. By Sam Robinson.

College of Health Sciences and Human Services Senator candidate Francis Everman gives her speech to a packed-house at the AS Speeches event March 27. By Sam Robinson.

On the morning of April 9, every California State University, Monterey Bay student will receive an email with a unique link to vote in this year’s Associated Student (AS) elections.

“Students will be voting via Qualtrics this year,” said Lauren McClain, AS president. “They will receive a custom link, unique to them, in their email on the day elections opens. This link serves as their ballot and should not be shared with anyone else. They will go through the online ballot and submit their vote.”

The format of the ballot will be a little different for each position, depending on the number of candidates running for that particular office. If there is only one candidate, students will vote yes or no as to elect that person. If there are two candidates, students will select the person who they wish to elect. If there are three or more candidates, students will rank them from first to last in order of their preferences.

“It is so important for students to be involved and engaged in the elections process. These students that will be elected will be your voice for the next year and will give the administration valuable insight into what the students want. You need to be able to pick someone you trust to represent you and someone who will be present and active amongst the student body and in campus decisions,” said McClain.

She added: “There are a number of opposed and unopposed positions in elections this year and you shouldn’t feel like just because a position is unopposed or because it’s your friend running that you should have to vote for them, make the candidates fight for their spots and fight for your vote.”

Candidates will take part in debates April 5 at 6 p.m. in the Student Center East Lounge. There will be free food.

All candidates were invited to speak and answer questions during the April 6 Lutrinae Live show on Ottermedia. Four replied and will participate, please see the schedule.

There are a few positions that we up for election but have no candidates running.

“After elections, a position can be vacant due to no one running for that position, or, in the case of our four unopposed positions, the students will have the choice of saying no to that candidate. The ballot will read something like ‘Should ____ be President?’ and the students can choose yes or no. If that person does not receive a majority of yes votes, then that position will also be vacant at the close of our elections cycle,” said McClain.

“Vacant positions will be filled via hiring process. Applications will be made available online in the week following our results release party, interviews will be held, and Senate will meet to vote on these appointments. We hope to have all positions filled by the end of the spring semester,” McClain added.

Voting will close on April 11. Results will be announced at a release party on April 16. See the March 29 issue of The Lutrinae for complete candidate profiles.